Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 November 2012
128. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount, if any, of the miscalculation of the cost of recent retirements within his Department; if he will also clarify any other costs which were miscalculated and which will impact upon cuts to education in Budget 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51305/12]
View answerDue to the unique circumstances surrounding the public service retirement package this year, it was difficult to forecast an exact cost of superannuation payments on my Vote for 2012. Higher numbers of retirements than projected will result in excess expenditure on the relevant subheads. The final amount of this excess, and any other excesses on the Vote, will not be known until year-end. However, offsetting reduced expenditure on other subheads will allow me to remain within my overall 2012 allocation. This offsetting of savings against excesses is possible under the process of retirement.
I am required to identify savings of €77 million in 2013, as well as managing the cost of upward pressures that arise. While the net effect of these pressures is not possible to predict, they are currently projected to be approximately €13 million, and relate mainly to Teacher and SNA pay. The final picture here will emerge in the context of the 2013 Budget.
